Beware: Officials Warn Of QR Code Hijacking
QR codes are popping up everywhere and making our lives a breeze. They’re like those secret passageways that lead you straight to exclusive discounts, event details, or that hilarious dog…
QR codes are popping up everywhere and making our lives a breeze. They're like those secret passageways that lead you straight to exclusive discounts, event details, or that hilarious dog video. You can find these pixelated squares on product labels, restaurant menus, and even tattooed on people's foreheads. Well, maybe not that far yet.
While QR codes bring convenience to our fingertips, we can't ignore the shady side of the story. Some sneaky scammers have figured out how to slap their own twisted codes on top of the legit ones. They trick us into visiting suspicious websites and possibly exposing our personal info. As much as we love convenience, it's important to double-check before we scan. Make sure you stay safe and avoid becoming the unwitting victims of these digital scammers.
QR Code Hijacking
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has extended the alert issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding QR code hijacking. Criminals are now placing malicious QR codes on top of legitimate ones, redirecting users to phishing websites designed to steal personal information.
"QR codes are widely used in so many different ways that it's not surprising bad actors would develop the means to use them to scam us," says Nessel. "This is another area where we need to protect our personal and financial information by practicing caution when using these convenient codes."
While QR codes are not inherently dangerous, they can lead unsuspecting users to websites that engage in data theft, malware downloads, and the infiltration of financial apps, email accounts, and social media platforms. Unlike links and attachments, fraudulent QR codes cannot be easily detected by standard security software, making users vulnerable to phishing attempts.
People who suspect they have fallen victim to fraudulent QR codes are advised to report the incident to the nearest FBI field office, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the attorney general's office.
Additional information can be found on the official website of the state of Michigan.
5 Apps You Should Delete From Your Phone Now To Protect Your Privacy
Our everyday devices help us keep in contact with loved ones, they help us to work efficiently, and they are there in case of an emergency. However, certain apps can cause a breach in your privacy and take up much-needed gigabytes (not to mention battery power).
Certain apps running in the background are collecting unused data in the hopes of selling that data to larger companies. Double-check that these kinds of apps are no longer on your phone.
Here are some app types you can ditch to save you from data leaks and make room for more storage on your phone:
If you believe your information has been compromised, file a complaint at IC3. And listen to an interview with FBI Charlotte Divisoin Public Affairs Specialist Shelley Lynch where she talks about phone security here.
QR Code Apps
ShutterstockYou no longer need to have a specific app in order to use a QR code. With contactless options, a lot of restaurants and other service industry establishments have opted to use QR code menus instead of a physical menu option. But all you have to do is open your phone and use the camera app to capture the QR code.
Scanner Apps
ShutterstockDo you know the app that you use to jot down your grocery list? Well, it can scan too. With an iPhone, you are able to scan documents with just your pre-installed "Notes" app. In the "Notes" app, choose the camera icon and tap the "scan documents" feature. A camera-like window will appear for you to snap your documents quickly be emailed or saved onto your computer.
Flashlight Apps
ShutterstockAs you know, most smartphones come with a "flashlight" option for when you're in need of some extra light in a dark space (or an impromptu candlelight dinner) but that's not even the alarming reason as to why you don't need to keep this extra app on your phone. Cases show that the use of third-party flashlight apps can assist in data leaks. Per USA Today, "many of these apps request permission to track your location, and they could even be hiding malware." So, ditch this app and use the pre-installed one.
Pre-Installed Apps
ShutterstockPre-installed apps can take a ton of space on your phone without even realizing it. As IOS has advanced, pre-installed apps are able to be removed by the user without a second thought. Check your phone: when was the last time you used your "Measure" app?
Third-Party Screen Recorders
ShutterstockSaving your favorite TikTok on a shady third-party screen recorder is a thing of the past as you can easily screen record with the built-in screen recorder from Apple. By using third-party screen recording apps you are opening yourself up to potential data leaks by companies having access to exactly how you use your screen, even when you aren't using it. According to Check Point Research per ZDNet, screen recording apps have proven to be one of the types of apps that leak data that can expose your "email records, chat messages, location information, user IDs, passwords, and images."
